Herbicidal composition

ABSTRACT

Herbicidal composition comprising: a) a herbicidally effective amount of a compound of formula (I), wherein the substituents are as defined in claim  1 ; and b) an amount, effective for herbicide synergy, of mesosulfuron, mesotrione or flufenacet.

This application claims foreign priority to Switzerland application 1781/01 filed Sep. 27, 2001.

The present invention relates to new herbicidal compositions for controlling grasses and weeds in crops of useful plants, especially in crops of maize and cereals, which compositions comprise a tetrahydropyrazolodione herbicide known from, for example, WO 99/47525, and a co-herbicide.

The present invention relates to a herbicidal composition that, in addition to comprising customary inert formulation adjuvants, such as carriers, solvents and wetting agents, comprises as active ingredient a mixture of

-   a) a herbicidally effective amount of a compound of formula I

wherein

-   R₁ and R₃ are, each independently of the other, halogen, nitro,     cyano, C₁-C₄alkyl, C₂-C₄-alkenyl, C₂-C₄alkynyl, C₁-C₄haloalkyl,     C₂-C₆haloalkenyl, C₃-C₆cycloalkyl, halo-substituted C₃-C₆cycloalkyl,     C₂-C₆alkoxyalkyl, C₂-C₆alkylthioalkyl, hydroxy, mercapto,     C₁-C₆alkoxy, C₃-C₆alkenyloxy, C₃-C₆alkynyloxy, carbonyl, carboxyl,     C₁-C₄alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₄hydroxyalkyl, C₁-C₄alkoxycarbonyl,     C₁-C₄alkylthio, C₁-C₄alkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₄alkylsulfonyl, amino,     C₁-C₄alkylamino or di(C₁-C₄alkyl)amino; -   R₄ and R₅ together are a group     -   —C—R₆(R₇)—O—C—R₆(R₉)—C—R₁₀(R₁₁)—C—R₁₂(R₁₃)— (Z₁),     -   —C—R₁₄(R₁₅)—C—R₁₆(R₁₇)—O—C—R₁₈(R₁₉)—C—R₂₀(R₂₁)— (Z₂), or     -   —C—R₂₂(R₂₃)—C—R₂₄(R₂₅)—C—R₂₆(R₂₇)—O—C—R₂₈(R₂₉)— (Z₃),         wherein R₆, R₇, R₈, R₉, R₁₀, R₁₁, R₁₂, R₁₃, R₁₄, R₁₅, R₁₆, R₁₇,         R₁₈, R₁₉, R₂₀, R₂₁, R₂₂, R₂₃, R₂₄, R₂₅, R₂₆, R₂₇, R₂₈ and R₂₉         are, each independently of the others, hydrogen, halogen,         C₁-C₄alkyl or C₁-C₄haloalkyl, it being possible for an alkylene         ring, which together with the carbon atoms of the groups Z₁, Z₂         or Z₃ contains from 2 to 6 carbon atoms arid which may be         interrupted by oxygen, to be either fused or spiro-bound to the         carbon atoms of the groups Z₁, Z₂ or Z₃, or that alkylene ring         bridges at least one ring atom of the groups Z₁, Z₂ or Z₃; -   G is hydrogen, —C(X₁)—R₃₀, —C(X₂)—X₃—R₃₁, —C(X₄)—N(R₃₂)—R₃₃,     —SO₂—R₃₄, an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, sulfonium or     ammonium cation, or —P(X₅)(R₃₅)—R₃₆ or —CH₂—X—R₃₇; -   X₁, X₂, X₃, X₄, X₅ and X₆ are, each independently of the others,     oxygen or sulfur; -   R₃₀, R₃₁, R₃₂ and R₃₃ are, each independently of the others,     hydrogen, C₁-C₁₀alkyl, C₁-C₁₀-haloalkyl, C₁-C₁₀cyanoalkyl,     C₁-C₁₀nitroalkyl, C₁-C₁₀aminoalkyl, C₁-C₅alkylamino-C₁-C₅alkyl,     C₂-C₈dialkylamino-C₁-C₅alkyl, C₃-C₇cycloalkyl-C₁-C₅alkyl,     C₂-C₁₀alkoxy-alkyl, C₄-C₁₀-alkenyloxy-alkyl, C₄-C₁₀alkynyloxy-alkyl,     C₂-C₁₀alkylthio-alkyl, C₁-C₅alkysulfoxyl-C₁-C₅alkyl,     C₁-C₅alkylsulfonyl-C₁-C₅alkyl, C₂-C₈alkylideneamino-oxy-C₁-C₅alkyl,     C₁-C₅alkylcarbonyl-C₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkoxycarbonyl-C₁-C₅alkyl,     C₁-C₅amino-carbonyl-C₁-C₅alkyl,     C₂-C₈dialkyl-amino-carbonyl-C₁-C₅alkyl,     C₁-C₅alkylcarbonylamino-C₁-C₅alkyl,     C₂-C₅alkylcarbonyl-(C₁-C₅-alkyl)-aminoalkyl,     C₃-C₆trialkylsilyl-C₁-C₅alkyl, phenyl-C₁-C₅alkyl,     heteroaryl-C₁-C₅alkyl, phenoxy-C₁-C₅alkyl, heteroaryloxy-C₁-C₅alkyl,     C₂-C₅alkenyl, C₂-C₅haloalkenyl, C₃-C₈cyclo-alkyl, phenyl, or     C₁-C₃alkyl-, C₁-C₃haloalkyl-, C₁-C₃alkoxy-, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy-, halo-,     cyano- or nitro-substituted phenyl or heteroaryl or heteroarylamino,     C₁-C₃alkyl-, C₁-C₃haloalkyl-, C₁-C₃-alkoxy-, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy-,     halo-, cyano- or nitro-substituted heteroarylamino,     diheteroaryl-amino, C₁-C₃alkyl-, C₁-C₃haloalkyl-, C₁-C₃alkoxy-,     C₁-C₃haloalkoxy-, halo-, cyano- or nitro-substituted     diheteroarylamino, phenylamino, C₁-C₃alkyl-, C₁-C₃haloalkyl-,     C₁-C₃alkoxy-, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy-, halo-, cyano- or nitro-substituted     phenylamino, diphenylamino, C₁-C₃alkyl-, C₁-C₃haloalkyl-,     C₁-C₃alkoxy-, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy-, halo-, cyano- or nitro-substituted     diphenyl-amino, amino, C₃-C₇cycloalkylamino, C₁-C₃alkyl-,     C₁-C₃haloalkyl-, C₁-C₃alkoxy-, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy-, halo-, cyano- or     nitro-substituted C₃-C₇cycloalkylamino, di-C₃-C₇cycloalkylamino,     C₁-C₃alkyl-, C₁-C₃haloalkyl-, C₁-C₃alkoxy-, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy-, halo-,     cyano- or nitro-substituted di-C₃-C₇-cycloalkylamino,     C₃-C₇cycloalkoxy or C₁-C₃alkyl-, C₁-C₃haloalkyl-, C₁-C₃alkoxy-,     C₁-C₃halo-alkoxy-, halo-, cyano- or nitro-substituted     C₃-C₇cycloalkoxy; -   R₃₄, R₃₅ and R₃₆ are, each independently of the others, hydrogen,     C₁-C₁₀alkyl, C₁-C₁₀halo-alkyl, C₁-C₁₀cyanoalkyl, C₁-C₁₀nitroalkyl,     C₁-C₁₀aminoalkyl, C₁-C₅alkylamino-C₁-C₅alkyl,     C₂-C₈dialkylamino-C₁-C₅alkyl, C₃-C₇cycloalkyl-C₁-C₅alkyl,     C₂-C₁₀alkoxy-alkyl, C₄-C₁₀-alkenyloxy-alkyl, C₄-C₁₀alkynyloxy-alkyl,     C₂-C₁₀alkylthio-alkyl, C₁-C₅alkysulfoxyl-C₁-C₅alkyl,     C₁-C₅alkylsulfonyl-C₁-C₅alkyl, C₂-C₈alkylideneamino-oxy-C₁-C₅alkyl,     C₁-C₅alkylcarbonyl-C₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkoxycarbonyl-C₁-C₅alkyl,     C₁-C₅amino-carbonyl-C₁-C₅alkyl,     C₂-C₈dialkyl-amino-carbonyl-C₁-C₅alkyl,     C₁-C₅alkylcarbonylamino-C₁-C₅alkyl,     C₂-C₅alkylcarbonyl-(C₁-C₅alkyl)-aminoalkyl,     C₃-C₆trialkylsilyl-C₁-C₅alkyl, phenyl-C₁-C₅alkyl,     heteroaryl-C₁-C₅alkyl, phenoxy-C₁-C₅alkyl, heteroaryloxy-C₁-C₅alkyl,     C₂-C₅alkenyl, C₂-C₅haloalkenyl, C₃-C₈cyclo-alkyl, phenyl, or     C₁-C₃alkyl-, C₁-C₃haloalkyl-, C₁-C₃alkoxy-, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy-, halo-,     cyano- or nitro-substituted phenyl or heteroaryl or heteroarylamino,     C₁-C₃alkyl-, C₁-C₃haloalkyl-, C₁-C₃-alkoxy-, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy-,     halo-, cyano- or nitro-substituted heteroarylamino,     diheteroaryl-amino, C₁-C₃alkyl-, C₁-C₃haloalkyl-, C₁-C₃alkoxy-,     C₁-C₃haloalkoxy-, halo-, cyano- or nitro-substituted     diheteroarylamino, phenylamino, C₁-C₃alkyl-, C₁-C₃haloalkyl-,     C₁-C₃alkoxy-, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy-, halo-, cyano- or nitro-substituted     phenylamino, diphenylamino, C₁-C₃alkyl-, C₁-C₃haloalkyl-,     C₁-C₃alkoxy-, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy-, halo-, cyano- or nitro-substituted     diphenyl-amino, C₃-C₇cycloalkylamino, C₁-C₃alkyl-, C₁-C₃haloalkyl-,     C₁-C₃alkoxy-, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy-, halo-, cyano- or nitro-substituted     C₃-C₇cycloalkylamino, di-C₃-C₇cycloalkylamino, C₁-C₃alkyl-,     C₁-C₃haloalkyl-, C₁-C₃alkoxy-, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy-, halo-, cyano- or     nitro-substituted di-C₃-C₇-cycloalkylamino, C₃-C₇cycloalkoxy,     C₁-C₃alkyl-, C₁-C₃haloalkyl-, C₁-C₃alkoxy-, C₁-C₃halo-alkoxy-,     halo-, cyano- or nitro-substituted C₃-C₇cycloalkoxy, C₁-C₁₀alkoxy,     C₁-C₁₀haloalkoxy, C₁-C₅alkylamino, C₂-C₈dialkylamino and benzyloxy     or phenoxy, it being possible for the benzyl and phenyl groups     themselves to be substituted by C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃haloalkyl,     C₁-C₃-alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy, halogen, cyano, formyl, acetyl,     propionyl, carboxyl, C₁-C₅alkoxy-carbonyl, methylthio, ethylthio or     by nitro; and -   R₃₇ is C₁-C₁₀alkyl, C₁-C₁₀haloalkyl, C₁-C₁₀cyanoalkyl,     C₁-C₁₀nitroalkyl, C₁-C₁₀aminoalkyl, C₁-C₅alkylamino-C₁-C₅alkyl,     C₂-C₈dialkylamino-C₁-C₅alkyl, C₃-C₇cycloalkyl-C-₁-C₅alkyl,     C₂-C₁₀alkoxy-alkyl, C₄-C₁₀alkenyloxy-alkyl, C₄-C₁₀alkynyloxy-alkyl,     C₂-C₁₀alkylthio-alkyl, C₁-C₅alkysulfoxyl-C₁-C₅alkyl,     C₁-C₅alkylsulfonyl-C₁-C₅alkyl, C₂-C₈alkylideneamino-oxy-C₁-C₅alkyl,     C₁-C₅alkylcarbonyl-C₁-C₅alkyl, C₁-C₅alkoxycarbonyl-C₁-C₅alkyl,     C₁-C₅amino-carbonyl-C₁-C₅alkyl,     C₂-C₈dialkylamino-carbonyl-C₁-C₅alkyl,     C₁-C₅alkylcarbonylamino-C₁-C₅-alkyl,     C₂-C₅alkylcarbonyl-(C₁-C₅alkyl)-aminoalkyl,     C₃-C₆trialkylsilyl-C₁-C₅alkyl, phenyl-C₁-C₅-alkyl,     heteroaryl-C₁-C₅alkyl, phenoxy-C₁-C₅alkyl, heteroaryloxy-C₁-C₅alkyl,     C₂-C₅alkenyl, C₂-C₅haloalkenyl, C₃-C₈cycloalkyl, phenyl, or     C₁-C₃alkyl-, C₁-C₃haloalkyl-, C₁-C₃alkoxy-, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy-, halo-,     cyano- or nitro-substituted phenyl or heteroaryl, or     heteroarylamino, C₁-C₃alkyl-, C₁-C₃haloalkyl-, C₁-C₃alkoxy-,     C₁-C₃haloalkoxy-, halo-, cyano- or nitro-substituted     heteroarylamino, diheteroarylamino, C₁-C₃alkyl-, C₁-C₃haloalkyl-,     C₁-C₃alkoxy-, C₁-C₃halo-alkoxy-, halo-, cyano- or nitro-substituted     diheteroarylamino, phenylamino, C₁-C₃alkyl-, C₁-C₃haloalkyl-,     C₁-C₃alkoxy, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy-, halo-, cyano- or nitro-substituted     phenyl-amino, diphenylamino, C₁-C₃alkyl-, C₁-C₃haloalkyl-,     C₁-C₃alkoxy-, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy-, halo-, cyano- or nitro-substituted     diphenylamino, C₃-C₇cycloalkylamino, C₁-C₃alkyl-, C₁-C₃haloalkyl-,     C₁-C₃alkoxy-, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy-, halo-, cyano- or nitro-substituted     C₃-C₇cycloalkylamino, di-C₃-C₇cycloalkylamino, C₁-C₃alkyl-,     C₁-C₃haloalkyl-, C₁-C₃alkoxy-, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy-, halo-, cyano- or     nitro-substituted di-C₃-C₇cycloalkylamino, C₃-C₇cycloalkoxy,     C₁-C₃alkyl-, C₁-C₃-haloalkyl-, C₁-C₃alkoxy-, C₁-C₃haloalkoxy-,     halo-, cyano- or nitro-substituted C₃-C₇cyclo-alkoxy or     C₁-C₁₀alkylcarbonyl; and salts and diastereoisomers of the compounds     of formula I, with the proviso that R₁ and R₃ are not simultaneously     methyl; and -   b) an amount, effective for herbicide synergy, of at least one     herbicide selected from mesosulfuron, mesotrione and flufenacet.

In the above definitions, halogen is to be understood as fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine, preferably fluorine, chlorine or bromine. The alkyl groups occurring in the substituent definitions are, for example, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl or tert-butyl, and the pentyl and hexyl isomers. Suitable cycloalkyl substituents contain from 3 to 6 carbon atoms and are, for example, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl. They may be substituted one or more times by halogen, preferably fluorine, chlorine or bromine. Alkenyl is to be understood as, for example, vinyl, allyl, methallyl, 1-methylvinyl or but-2-en-1-yl. Alkynyl is, for example, ethynyl, propargyl, but-2-yn-1-yl, 2-methylbutyn-2-yl or but-3-yn-2-yl. Haloalkyl groups preferably have a chain length of from I to 4 carbon atoms. Haloalkyl is, for example, fluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, chloromethyl, dichloromethyl, trichloromethyl, 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl, 2-fluoroethyl, 2-chloroethyl, penta-fluoroethyl, 1,1-difluoro-2,2,2-trichloroethyl, 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoroethyl or 2,2,2-trichloroethyl, preferably trichloromethyl, difluorochloromethyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl or dichloro-fluoromethyl. Suitable haloalkenyl radicals include alkenyl groups substituted one or more times by halogen, halogen being fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine and especially fluorine or chlorine, for example 2,2-difluoro-1-methylvinyl, 3-fluoropropenyl, 3-chloropropenyl, 3-bromopropenyl, 2,3,3-trifluoropropenyl, 2,3,3-trichloropropenyl and 4,4,4-trifluorobut-2-en-1-yl. Among the C₂-C₆alkenyl groups substituted once, twice or three times by halogen preference is given to those having a chain length of from 3 to 5 carbon atoms. Alkoxy groups preferably have a chain length of from 1 to 6 carbon atoms. Alkoxy is, for example, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, n-butoxy, isobutoxy, sec-butoxy or tert-butoxy, or a pentyloxy or hexyloxy isomer, preferably methoxy or ethoxy. Alkylcarbonyl is preferably acetyl or propionyl. Alkoxycarbonyl is, for example, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, propoxycarbonyl, isopropoxycarbonyl, n-butoxycarbonyl, isobutoxycarbonyl, sec-butoxy-carbonyl or tert-butoxycarbonyl, preferably methoxycarbonyl or ethoxycarbonyl. Alkylthio groups preferably have a chain length of from 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Alkylthio is, for example, methylthio, ethylthio, propylthio, isopropylthio, n-butylthio, isobutylthio, sec-butylthio or tert-butylthio, preferably methylthio or ethylthio. Alkylsulfinyl is, for example, methylsulfinyl, ethyl-sulfinyl, propylsulfinyl, isopropylsulfinyl, n-butylsulfinyl, isobutylsulfinyl, sec-butylsulfinyl or tert-butylsulfinyl, preferably methylsulfinyl or ethylsulfinyl. Alkylsulfonyl is, for example, methylsulfonyl, ethylsulfonyl, propylsulfonyl, isopropylsulfonyl, n-butylsulfonyl, isobutyl-sulfonyl, sec-butylsulfonyl or tert-butylsulfonyl, preferably methylsulfonyl or ethylsulfonyl. Alkylamino is, for example, methylamino, ethylamino, n-propylamino, isopropylamino or a butylamine isomer. Dialkylamino is, for example, dimethylamino, methylethylamino, diethyl-amino, n-propylmethylamino, dibutylamino or diisopropylamino. Alkoxyalkyl groups preferably have from 2 to 6 carbon atoms. Alkoxyalkyl is, for example, methoxymethyl, methoxyethyl, ethoxymethyl, ethoxyethyl, n-propoxymethyl, n-propoxyethyl, isopropoxy-methyl or isopropoxyethyl. Alkylthioalkyl is, for example, methylthiomethyl, methylthioethyl, ethylthiomethyl, ethylthioethyl, n-propylthiomethyl, n-propylthioethyl, isopropylthiomethyl, isopropylthioethyl, butylthiomethyl, butylthioethyl or butylthiobutyl. Phenyl may be in substituted form, in which case the substituents may be in the ortho-, meta- and/or para-position. Preferred positions for the substituents are the ortho- and para-positions to the ring attachment point. Heteroaryl groups are usually aromatic heterocycles that contain preferably from 1 to 3 hetero atoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur. Examples of suitable heterocycles and heteroaromatic compounds are: pyrrolidine, piperidine, pyran, dioxane, azetidine, oxetane, pyridine, pyrimidine, triazine, thiazole, thiadiazole, imidazole, oxazole, isoxazole and pyrazine, furan, morpholine, piperazine, pyrazole, benzoxazole, benzothiazole, quinoxaline and quinoline. Those heterocycles and heteroaromatic compounds may be further substituted, for example by halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, nitro, cyano, thioalkyl, alkylamino or by phenyl. The C₂-C₁₀-alkenyl and -alkynyl groups R₃₄ may be mono- or poly-unsaturated. They contain preferably from 2 to 12 carbon atoms, especially from 2 to 6 carbon atoms.

Alkali metal, alkaline earth metal or ammonium cations for the substituent G are, for example, the cations of sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium and ammonium: Preferred sulfonium cations are especially trialkylsulfonium cations wherein the alkyl radicals each contain preferably from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

The left-hand free valence of the groups Z₁, Z₂ and Z₃ is bound to the 1-position and the right-hand free valence to the 2-position of the pyrazoline ring.

Compounds of formula I wherein it is possible for an alkylene ring, which together with the carbon atoms of the groups Z₁, Z₂ and Z₃ contains from 2 to 6 carbon atoms, to be fused or spiro-bound to the groups Z₁, Z₂ and Z₃ have, for example, the following structure:

Compounds of formula I wherein in the groups Z₁, Z₂ or Z₃ an alkylene ring bridges at least one ring atom of the groups Z₁, Z₂ or Z₃, have, for example, the following structure:

Flufenacet is known from The Pesticide Manual, 12th Edition (BCPC) 2000, Entry No. 362; mesotrione is known from The Pesticide Manual, 12th Edition (BCPC) 2000, Entry No. 500; mesosulfuron is described, for example, in WO 00/3591 and WO 01/24633.

In herbicides of formula I that are preferred for the compositions in accordance with the invention, R₁ and R₃ are, each independently of the other, ethyl, haloethyl, ethynyl, C₁-C₂-alkoxy or C₁-C₂haloalkoxy.

Preference is given also to those compositions in accordance with the invention wherein, in the herbicides of formula I, R₄ and R₅ together are a Z₂ group

-   —C—R₁₄(R₁₅)—C—R₁₆(R₁₇)—O—C—R₁₈(R₁₉)—C—R₂₀(R₂₁)— (Z₂) wherein R₁₄,     R₁₅, R₁₆, R₁₇, R₁₈, R₁₉, R₂₀ and R₂₁ are especially preferably     hydrogen.

In a further preferred group of compositions according to the invention, in the herbicides of formula I R₃₀, R₃₁, R₃₂ and R₃₃ are, each independently of the others, hydrogen, C₁-C₈alkyl, C₁-C₈haloalkyl, C₁-C₈cyanoalkyl, C₁-C₈nitroalkyl, C₁-C₈aminoalkyl, C₂-C₅alkenyl, C₂-C₅halo-alkenyl, C₃-C₈cycloalkyl, C₁-C₅alkylamino-C₁-C₅alkyl, C₂-C₈dialkylamino-C₁-C₅alkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₅alkyl, C₂-C₄alkoxy-alkyl, C₄-C₆alkenyloxy-alkyl, C₄-C₆alkynyloxy-alkyl, C₂-C₄alkylthio-alkyl, C₁-C₄alkysulfinyl-C₁-C₂alkyl, C₁-C₂alkylsulfonyl-C₁-C₂alkyl, C₂-C₄alkyl-ideneamino-oxy-C₁-C₂alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylcarbonyl-C₁-C₂alkyl, C₁-C₅alkoxycarbonyl-C₁-C₂alkyl, C₁-C₅amino-carbonyl-C₁-C₂alkyl, C₂-C₈dialkylamino-carbonyl-C₁-C₂alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylcarbonyl-amino-C₁-C₂alkyl, C₂-C₅alkylcarbonyl-(C₁-C₂alkyl)-aminoalkyl, C₃-C₆trialkylsilyl-C₁-C₅alkyl, phenyl-C₁-C₂alkyl, heteroaryl-C₁-C₂alkyl, phenoxy-C₁-C₂alkyl, heteroaryloxy-C₁-C₂alkyl, phenyl or heteroaryl;

-   R₃₄, R₃₅ and R₃₆, are each independently of the others, hydrogen,     C₁-C₈alkyl, C₁-C₈haloalkyl, C₁-C₈cyanoalkyl, C₁-C₈nitroalkyl,     C₁-C₈aminoalkyl, C₂-C₅alkenyl, C₂-C₅haloalkenyl, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl,     C₁-C₅alkylamino-C₁-C₅alkyl, C₂-C₈dialkylamino-C₁-C₅alkyl,     C₃-C₇cycloalkyl-C₁-C₅-alkyl, C₂-C₄alkoxy-alkyl,     C₄-C₆alkenyloxy-alkyl, C₄-C₆alkynyloxy-alkyl, C₂-C₄alkylthio-alkyl,     C₁-C₄alkysulfinyl-C₁-C₂alkyl, C₁-C₂alkylsulfonyl-C₁-C₂alkyl,     C₂-C₄alkylideneamino-oxy-C₁-C₂alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylcarbonyl-C₁-C₂alkyl,     C₁-C₅alkoxycarbonyl-C₁-C₂alkyl, C₁-C₅amino-carbonyl-C₁-C₂alkyl,     C₂-C₈dialkylamino-carbonyl-C₁-C₂alkyl,     C₁-C₅alkylcarbonylamino-C₁-C₂-alkyl,     C₂-C₅alkylcarbonyl-(C₁-C₂alkyl)-aminoalkyl,     C₃-C₆trialkylsilyl-C₁-C₅alkyl, phenyl-C₁-C₂-alkyl,     heteroaryl-C₁-C₂alkyl, phenoxy-C₁-C₂alkyl, heteroaryloxy-C₁-C₂alkyl,     phenyl or heteroaryl, benzyloxy or phenoxy, it being possible for     the benzyl and phenyl groups themselves to be substituted by     halogen, nitro, cyano, amino, dimethylamino, hydroxy, methoxy,     ethoxy, methylthio, ethylthio, formyl, acetyl, propionyl, carboxyl,     C₁-C₅alkoxy-carbonyl or by C₁— or C₂-haloalkyl; and -   R₃₇ is C₁-C₈alkyl, C₁-C₈haloalkyl, C₁-C₈cyanoalkyl, C₁-C₈nitroalkyl,     C₁-C₈aminoalkyl, C₂-C₅-alkenyl, C₂-C₅haloalkenyl, C₃-C₈cycloalkyl,     C₁-C₅alkylamino-C₁-C₅alkyl, C₂-C₈dialkylamino-C₁-C₅alkyl,     C₃-C₇cycloalkyl-C₁-C₅alkyl, C₂-C₄alkoxy-alkyl,     C₄-C₆alkenyloxy-alkyl, C₄-C₆-alkynyloxy-alkyl, C₂-C₄alkylthio-alkyl,     C₁-C₄alkylsulfinyl-C₁-C₂alkyl, C₁-C₂alkylsulfonyl-C₁-C₂-alkyl,     C₂-C₄alkylideneamino-oxy-C₁-C₂alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylcarbonyl-C₁-C₂alkyl,     C₁-C₅alkoxy-carbonyl-C₁-C₂alkyl, C₁-C₅amino-carbonyl-C₁-C₂alkyl,     C₂-C₈dialkylamino-carbonyl-C₁-C₂alkyl,     C₁-C₅alkylcarbonylamino-C₁-C₂alkyl,     C₂-C₅alkylcarbonyl-(C₁-C₂alkyl)-aminoalkyl,     C₃-C₆trialkyl-silyl-C₁-C₅alkyl, phenyl-C₁-C₂alkyl,     heteroaryl-C₁-C₂alkyl, phenoxy-C₁-C₂alkyl, heteroaryloxy-C₁-C₂alkyl,     phenyl or heteroaryl, benzyloxy or phenoxy, it being possible for     the benzyl and phenyl groups themselves to be substituted by     halogen, nitro, cyano, amino, dimethylamino, hydroxy, methoxy,     ethoxy, methylthio, ethylthio, formyl, acetyl, propionyl, carboxyl,     C₁-C₂-alkoxycarbonyl or by C₁— or C₂-haloalkyl; or R₃₇ is     C₁-C₈alkylcarbonyl.

Special preference is given to those compositions according to the invention wherein, in the herbicides of formula I, R₃₀, R₃₁, R₃₂ and R₃₃ are, each independently of the others, hydrogen, C₁-C₈alkyl, C₁-C₈haloalkyl, C₂-C₅alkenyl, C₂-C₅haloalkenyl, C₃-C₈cycloalkyl, C₃-C₇cycloalkyl-C₁-C₂alkyl, C₂-C₄alkoxy-alkyl, phenyl, heteroaryl, phenyl-C₁-C₂alkyl, heteroaryl-C₁-C₂alkyl, phenoxy-C₁-C₂alkyl, heteroaryloxy-C₁-C₂alkyl;

-   R₃₄, R₃₅ and R₃₆ are, each independently of the others, hydrogen,     C₁-C₈alkyl, C₁-C₈haloalkyl, C₂-C₅alkenyl, C₂-C₅haloalkenyl,     C₃-C₈cycloalkyl, C₃-C₇cycloalkyl-C₁-C₂alkyl, C₂-C₄alkoxy-alkyl,     phenyl, heteroaryl, phenyl-C₁-C₂alkyl, heteroaryl-C₁-C₂alkyl,     phenoxy-C₁-C₂alkyl, heteroaryloxy-C₁-C₂alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxy,     C₁-C₃alkylamino or di(C₁-C₃alkyl)amino; and -   R₃₇ is C₁-C₈alkyl, C₁-C₈haloalkyl, C₂-C-₅alkenyl, C₂-C₅haloalkenyl,     C₃-C₈cycloalkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₂alkyl, C₂-C₄alkoxy-alkyl,     phenyl, heteroaryl, phenyl-C₁-C₂alkyl, heteroaryl-C₁-C₂alkyl,     phenoxy-C₁-C₂alkyl, heteroaryloxy-C₁-C₂alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxy,     C₁-C₃alkylamino, di-(C₁-C₃alkyl)-amino or C₁-C₈alkylcarbonyl.

A further group of especially preferred compositions comprise as herbicides of formula I those wherein R₁ and R₃ are ethyl, R₄ and R₅ together are a group Z₂ —C—R₁₄(R₁₅)—C—R₁₆(R₁₇)—O—C—R₁₈(R₁₉)—C—R₂₀(R₂₁)—, wherein R₁₄, R₁₅, R₁₆, R₁₇, R₁₈, R₁₉, R₂₀ and R₂₁ are hydrogen, and G is hydrogen or a radical of formula —C(X₁)—R₃₀ wherein X₁ is oxygen and R₃₀ is hydrogen or C₁-C₈alkyl, especially C₄alkyl, preferably tert-butyl.

The compositions according to the invention may also comprise salts that the compounds of formula I may form with acids. Suitable acids for the formation of acid addition salts are both organic and inorganic acids. Examples of such acids are hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acids, sulfuric acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, valeric acid, oxalic acid, malonic acid, fumaric acid, organic sulfonic acids, lactic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid and salicylic acid. The salts of the compounds of formula I having acid hydrogen are also alkali metal salts, for example sodium and potassium salts; alkaline earth metal salts, for example calcium and magnesium salts; ammonium salts, that is to say unsubstituted ammonium salts and mono- or poly-substituted ammonium salts, or are salts with other organic nitrogen bases. Suitable salt formers are accordingly alkali metal and alkaline earth metal hydroxides, especially the hydroxides of lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium or calcium, with those of sodium or potassium being given special importance.

Examples of suitable amines for ammonium salt formation that come into consideration are ammonia as well as primary, secondary and tertiary C₁-C₁₈alkylamines, C₁-C₄hydroxyalkyl-amines and C₂-C₄alkoxyalkylamines, for example methylamine, ethylamine, n-propylamine, isopropylamine, the four butylamine isomers, n-amylamine, isoamylamine, hexylamine, heptylamine, octylamine, nonylamine, decylamine, pentadecylamine, hexadecylamine, heptadecylamine, octadecylamine, methyl-ethylamine, methyl-isopropylamine, methyl-hexylamine, methyl-nonylamine, methyl-pentadecylamine, methyl-octadecylamine, ethyl-butylamine, ethyl-heptylamine, ethyl-octylamine, hexyl-heptylamine, hexyl-octylamine, dimethylamine, diethylamine, di-n-propylamine, diisopropylamine, di-n-butylamine, di-n-amylamine, diisoamylamine, dihexylamine, diheptylamine, dioctylamine, ethanolamine, n-propanolamine, isopropanolamine, N,N-diethanolamine, N-ethylpropanolamine, N-butyl-ethanolamine, allylamine, n-butenyl-2-amine, n-pentenyl-2-amine, 2,3-dimethylbutenyl-2-amine, dibutenyl-2-amine, n-hexenyl-2-amine, propylenediamine, trimethylamine, triethyl-amine, tri-n-propylamine, triisopropylamine, tri-n-butylamine, triisobutylamine, tri-sec-butylamine, tri-n-amylamine, methoxyethylamine and ethoxyethylamine; heterocyclic amines, for example pyridine, quinoline, isoquinoline, morpholine, N-methylmorpholine, thio-morpholine, piperidine, pyrrolidine, indoline, quinuclidine and azepine; primary aryl amines, for example anilines, methoxyanilines, ethoxyanilines, o-, m- and p-toluidines, phenylene-diamines, benzidines, naphthylamines and o-, m- and p-chloroanilines; but especially triethylamine, isopropylamine and diisopropylamine.

If non-chiral starting materials are employed, the asymmetrically substituted compounds of formula I obtained in the processes described in this Application are generally in the form of racemates. The stereoisomers can then be separated on the basis of their physicochemical properties according to known methods, such as, for example, fractional crystallisation following salt formation with optically pure bases, acids or metal complexes, or by chromatographic procedures, such as, for example, high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) on acetyl cellulose. In the present invention, “compounds of formula I” are to be understood as including both the concentrated and optically pure forms of the stereoisomers in question and the racemates and diastereoisomers. Where no special mention is made of individual optical antipodes, the formula in question is to be understood as referring to the racemic mixtures that are obtained in the preparation process mentioned. When an aliphatic C═C double bond is present, geometric isomerism may also occur.

The compounds of formula I may, also in dependence upon the nature of the substituents, occur as geometric and/or optical isomers and isomeric mixtures and as tautomers and tautomeric mixtures. For example, the compounds of formula I wherein the group G is hydrogen can occur in the following tautomeric equilibria:

When G is other than hydrogen and Z is the group Z₁ or Z₃, or when G is other than hydrogen and Z₂ is asymmetrically substituted, fused or spiro-bound, the compound of formula I may occur as an isomer of formula Id

Processes for the preparation of compounds that differ from the compounds of formula I according to the present invention in respect of the meanings of the substituents R₄ and R₅ are described, for example, in WO 96/21652. The compounds of formula I according to the present invention can be prepared analogously to the processes described in WO 99/47525 and WO 01/17351.

TABLE 1 Compounds of formula Ia (The substituents R₄ and R₅ in the compounds of formula I form a —C₂H₄—O—C₂H₄— radical in the compounds of formula Ia) (Ia)

Comp. No. R₁ H₃ G Physical data 1.001 CH₃ OCH₃ H 1.002 CH₃ OCH₃ C(O)C(CH₃)₃ 1.003 CH₃ OCH₃ C(O)OCH₂CH₃ 1.004 CH₂CH₃ CH₃ H m.p. 182–185° C. 1.005 CH₂CH₃ CH₃ C(O)C(CH₃)₃ m.p. 110–113° C. 1.006 CH₂CH₃ CH₃ C(O)OCH₂CH₃ 1.007 CH₂CH₃ CH₂CH₃ H m.p. 189–191° C. 1.008 CH₂CH₃ CH₂CH₃ C(O)C(CH₃)₃ m.p. 122–124° C. 1.009 CH₂CH₃ CH₂CH₃ C(O)OCH₂CH₃ m.p. 114–116° C. 1.010 CH═CH₂ CH₃ H m.p. 165–170° C. 1.011 CH═CH₂ CH₃ C(O)C(CH₃)₃ m.p. 111–113° C. 1.012 CH═CH₂ CH₂CH₃ H 1.013 CH═CH₂ CH═CH₂ H 1.014 CH═CH₂ CH═CH₂ C(O)C(CH₃)₃ 1.015 C≡CH CH₃ H m.p. 179–184° C. 1.016 C≡CH CH₃ C(O)C(CH₃)₃ m.p. 109–111° C. 1.017 C≡CH CH₃ C(O)OCH₂CH₃ 1.018 C≡CH CH₂CH₃ H m.p. 189–193° C. 1.019 C≡CH CH₂CH₃ C(O)C(CH₃)₃ 1.020 C≡CH CH₂CH₃ C(O)OCH₂CH₃ 1.021 C≡CH C≡CH H m.p. 300° C. 1.022 C≡CH C≡CH C(O)C(CH₃)₃ m.p. 183–185° C. 1.023 C≡CH C≡CH C(O)OCH₂CH₃ 1.024 C≡CH CH═CH₂ H 1.025 C≡CCH₃ CH₃ H m.p. 179–181° C. 1.026 C≡CCH₃ CH₃ C(O)C(CH₃)₃ m.p. 128–129° C. 1.027 C≡CCH₃ CH₃ C(O)OCH₂CH₃ 1.028 C≡CCH₃ CH₂CH₃ H 1.029 C≡CCH₃ CH₂CH₃ C(O)C(CH₃)₃ 1.030 C≡CCH₃ C≡CCH₃ H 1.031 C≡CCH₃ C≡CCH₃ C(O)C(CH₃)₃ 1.032 CH₂CH₂CH₃ CH₃ H m.p. 136–138° C. 1.033 CH₂CH₂CH₃ CH₃ C(O)C(CH₃)₃ m.p. 65–67° C. 1.034 CH₂CH₂CH₃ CH₃ C(O)OCH₂CH₃ 1.035 CH₂CH₂CH₃ CH₂CH₃ H 1.036 CH₂CH₂CH₃ CH₂CH₂CH₃ H 1.037 CH₂CH₂CH₃ CH₂CH₂CH₃ C(O)C(CH₃)₃ 1.038 CH₂CH₂CH₃ CH₂CH₂CH₃ C(O)OCH₂CH₃ 1.039 CH₂CH₂CH₃ C≡CH H 1.040 CH(CH₃)₂ CH₃ H m.p. 214–216° C. 1.041 CH(CH₃)₂ CH₃ C(O)C(CH₃)₃ m.p. 148–151° C. 1.042 CH(CH₃)₂ CH₂CH₃ H 1.043 CH(CH₃)₂ C≡CH H 1.044

CH₃ H 1.045

CH₂CH₃ H 1.046

C≡CH H 1.047 CH₂CH═CH₂ CH₃ H 1.048 CH₂CH═CH₂ CH₂CH₃ H 1.049 CH₂CH═CH₂ C≡CH H 1.050 CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃ CH₃ H 1.051 CH₃O— CH₂CH₃ H 1.052 CH₃O— CH₂CH₃ C(O)C(CH₃)₃ 1.053 CH₂CH₃ CH₂CH₃ SO₂CH(CH₃)₂ 1.054 CH₂CH₃ CH₂CH₃ SO₂CH₃ crystalline 1.055 CH₂CH₃ CH₂CH₃ SO₂CH(CH₃)₂ 1.056 CH₂CH₃ CH₂CH₃ SO₂CF₃ 1.057 CH₂CH₃ CH₂CH₃ SO₂CH₂CH₃ 1.058 CH₂CH₃ CH₂CH₃ SO₂CH₂CH(CH₃)₂ wax 1.059 CH₂CH₃ CH₂CH₃ SO₂CH₂CH₂Cl 1.060 CH₂CH₃ CH₂CH₃ SO₂CH═CH2 wax 1.061 CH₂CH₃ CH₂CH₃ SO₂CH₂CH₂Br 1.062 CH₂CH₃ CH₂CH₃

m.p.: 204–205 1.063 CH₂CH₃ CH₂CH₃

m.p.: 203–204 1.064 CH₂CH₃ CH₂CH₃ SO₂-benzyl m.p.: 157–158 1.065 CH₂CH₃ CH₂CH₃

wax 1.066 CH₂CH₃ CH₂CH₃ SO₂CH₂CH₂CH₂Cl wax 1.067 CH₂CH₃ CH₂CH₃

m.p.: 126 1.068 CH₂CH₃ CH₂CH₃

m.p.: 146 1.069 CH₂CH₃ CH₂CH₃

m.p.: 82–85 1.070 CH₂CH₃ CH₂CH₃ SO₂CH₂CH═CH₂ 1.071 C≡CH CH₂CH₃ SO₂CH₃ 1.072 C≡CH CH₂CH₃ SO₂CH(CH₃)₂ 1.073 C≡CH CH₂CH₃ SO₂CH₂CH₂Cl 1.074 C≡CH CH₂CH₃ SO₂CF₃ 1.075 C≡CH CH₂CH₃ SO₂CH═CH₂ 1.076 C≡CH OCH₃ —H m.p. 202–204 1.077 C≡CH OCH₃ C(O)C(CH₃)₃ m.p. 204–206 1.078 C≡CSi(CH₃)₃ OCH₃ C(O)C(CH₃)₃ m.p. 169–171 1.079 C≡CSi(CH₃)₃ OCH₃ —H m.p. 173–174 1.080 Br OCH₃ —H m.p. 217–219 1.081 Br OCH₃ C(O)C(CH₃)₃ m.p. 173–175 1.082 CH₂CH₃ CH₂CH₃ C(O)C(CH₃)₂CH₂CH₃ m.p. 122–124° C. 1.083 CH₂CH₃ CH₂CH₃ CON(CH₂CH₃)₂ m.p. 82–84 1.084 CH₂CH₃ C(O)CH₃ C(O)C(CH₃)₂CH₂CH₃ m.p. 138–139° C. 1.085 CH₂CH₃ C(O)CH₃

1.086 CH₂CH₃ C(O)CH₃

1.087 CH₂CH₃ C(O)CH₃

1.088 CH₂CH₃ C(O)CH₃

The rates of application of herbicide are generally from 0.001 to 2 kg/ha, but preferably from 0.005 to 1 kg/ha.

The ratio by weight of the compound of formula I to the second herbicide (mesosulfuron, mesotrione or flufenacet) in the composition according to the invention is preferably from 1:100 to 1000:1.

The compositions according to the invention preferably contain in addition a safener and, optionally, an oil additive. The present invention accordingly relates also to herbicidal compositions that, in addition to comprising customary inert formulation adjuvants, such as carriers, solvents and wetting agents, comprise as active ingredient a mixture of

-   a) a herbicide of formula I, -   b) an amount, effective for herbicide synergy, of mesosulfuron,     mesotrione or flufenacet, -   c) an amount, effective for herbicide antagonism, of a safener     selected from cloquintocet-mexyl and mefenpyr-diethyl; and,     optionally, -   d) an additive comprising an oil of vegetable or animal origin, a     mineral oil, alkyl esters of such oils, or mixtures of such oils and     oil derivatives.

The safeners cloquintocet-mexyl and mefenpyr-diethyl can also be used in the form of their alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, sulfonium or ammonium salts. Examples thereof are described, for example, in WO 02/34048. It is also possible to use hydrates of cloquintocet-mexyl, which are mentioned in WO 02/36566.

Cultivated plants that can be protected against the harmful effect of the above-mentioned herbicide mixtures by means of such safeners are especially cereals, cotton, soybeans, sugar beet, sugar cane, plantation crops, rape, maize and rice, more especially cereals. Crops are to be understood as including those that have been made tolerant to herbicides or classes of herbicides by means of conventional breeding or genetic engineering methods.

The weeds to be controlled may be either dicotyledonous or, preferably, monocotyledonous weeds, for example the monocotyledonous weeds Avena, Agrostis, Phalaris, Lolium, Bromus, Alopecurus, Setaria, Digitaria, Brachiaria, Echinochloa, Panicum, Sorghum hal./bic., Rottboellia, Cyperus, Brachiaria, Echinochloa, Scirpus, Monochoria and Sagittaria, and the dicotyledonous weeds Sinapis, Chenopodium, Stellaria, Galium, Viola, Veronica, Matricaria, Papaver, Solanum, Abutilon, Sida, Xanthium, Amaranthus, Ipomoea and Chrysanthemum.

Areas of cultivation include the areas of ground on which cultivated plants are already growing or which have already been sown with the seeds of those cultivated plants, as well as ground intended for cultivation with such cultivated plants.

Depending on the intended use, a safener according to the invention can be used to pre-treat the seed material of the cultivated plant (dressing the seed or the cuttings) or can be introduced into the soil before or after sowing. It can, however, also be applied, either alone or together with the herbicide mixture and the oil additive, after the emergence of the plants. The treatment of the plants or seed with the safener can therefore, in principle, be effected independently of the time at which the herbicide mixture is applied. The treatment of the plants can, however, also be carried out by applying herbicide, oil additive and safener simultaneously (for example in the form of a tank mixture). The rate of application of safener in relation to herbicide depends largely on the method of application. In the case of field treatment, which is effected either using a tank mixture comprising a combination of safener and herbicide mixture or by separate application of safener and herbicide mixture, the ratio of herbicides to safener is generally from 100:1 to 1:10, preferably from 20:1 to 1:1. In the case of field treatment, from 0.001 to 1.0 kg of safener/ha, preferably from 0.001 to 0.25 kg of safener/ha, is generally applied.

In the composition according to the invention, the amounts of oil additive employed are generally from 0.01 to 2%, based on the spray mixture. The oil additive can, for example, be added to the spray tank in the desired concentration after the spray mixture has been prepared.

Preferred oil additives comprise mineral oils or an oil of vegetable origin such as, for example, rapeseed oil, olive oil or sunflower oil, alkyl esters of oils of vegetable origin such as, for example, the methyl derivatives, or an oil of animal origin such as fish oil or beef tallow.

Especially preferred oil additives comprise alkyl esters of higher fatty acids (C₈-C₂₂), especially the methyl derivatives of C₁₂-C₁₈ fatty acids, for example the methyl esters of lauric acid, palmitic acid and oleic acid. Those esters are known as methyl laurate (CAS-111-82-0), methyl palmitate (CAS-112-39-0) and methyl oleate (CAS-112-62-9).

The application and action of the oil additives can be improved by combining them with surface-active substances such as non-ionic, anionic or cationic surfactants. Examples of suitable anionic, non-ionic and cationic surfactants are listed in WO 97/34485 on pages 7 and 8.

Preferred surface-active substances are anionic surfactants of the dodecylbenzylsulfonate type, especially the calcium salts thereof, and also non-ionic surfactants of the fatty alcohol ethoxylate type. Special preference is given to ethoxylated C₁₂-C₂₂ fatty alcohols having a degree of ethoxylation of from 5 to 40. Examples of commercially available preferred surfactants are the Genapol types (Clariant AG, Muttenz, Switzerland).

The concentration of the surface-active substances based on the total additive is generally from 1 to 30% by weight.

Examples of oil additives consisting of mixtures of oils or mineral oils or derivatives thereof with surfactants are Edenor ME SU®, Emery 2231® (Henkel subsidiary company Cognis GmbH, Germany), Turbocharge® (Zeneca Agro, Stoney Creek, Ontario, Canada) or, more especially, Actipron® (BP Oil UK Limited, GB).

The addition of an organic solvent to the oil additive/surfactant mixture can, furthermore, bring about a further increase in action. Suitable solvents are, for example Solvesso® (ESSO) or Aromatic Solvent® (Exxon Corporation) types.

The concentration of those solvents can be from 10 to 80%, by weight, of the total weight.

Such oil additives, which are also described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,834,908, are especially preferred for the composition according to the invention. An especially preferred oil additive is known under the name MERGE®, can be obtained from the BASF Corporation and is basically described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,834,908 in col. 5, as Example COC-1. A further oil additive that is preferred according to the invention is SCORE® (Novartis Crop Protection Canada).

In the composition according to the invention, the amounts of oil additive employed are generally from 0.01 to 2%, based on the spray mixture. The oil additive can, for example, be added to the spray tank in the desired concentration after the spray mixture has been prepared.

The invention relates also to a method for the selective control of weeds and grasses in crops of useful plants, which method comprises treating the useful plants, seeds or cuttings thereof or the area of cultivation thereof with a herbicidal composition that comprises a mixture of

-   a) a herbicidally effective amount of formula I, -   b) an amount, effective for herbicide synergy, of mesosulfuron,     mesotrione or flufenacet, -   c) an amount, effective for herbicide antagonism, of a safener     selected from cloquintocet-mexyl and mefenpyr-diethyl; and,     optionally, -   d) an additive comprising an oil of vegetable or animal origin, a     mineral oil, alkyl esters of such oils, or mixtures of such oils and     oil derivatives.

The compositions according to the invention are suitable for all methods of application that are customary in agriculture, for example pre-emergence application, post-emergence application and seed dressing.

In the case of seed dressing, from 0.001 to 10 g of safener/kg of seed, preferably from 0.05 to 6 g of safener/kg of seed, are generally applied. When the safener is applied in liquid form shortly before sowing, with swelling of the seed, it is advantageous to use safener solutions that comprise the active ingredient in a concentration of from 1 to 10 000 ppm, preferably from 10 to 1000 ppm.

For application, the safeners used according to the invention or combinations of those safeners with the herbicides and, optionally, the oil additives are processed, together with the adjuvants conventionally employed in formulation technology, into formulations, for example into emulsifiable concentrates, coatable pastes, directly sprayable or dilutable solutions, dilute emulsions, wettable powders, soluble powders, dusts, granules or microcapsules.

Such formulations are described, for example, in WO 97/34485, on pages 9 to 13. The formulations are prepared in known manner, for example by intimately mixing and/or grinding the active ingredients with liquid or solid formulation adjuvants, for example solvents or solid carriers. Furthermore, surface-active compounds (surfactants) may additionally be used in the preparation of the formulations. Solvents and solid carriers suitable for that purpose are mentioned, for example, in WO 97/34485 on page 6.

Depending on the nature of the compound of formula I being formulated, suitable surface-active compounds are non-ionic, cationic and/or anionic surfactants and mixtures of surfactants having good emulsifying, dispersing and wetting properties. Examples of suitable anionic, non-ionic and cationic surfactants are listed, for example, in WO 97/34485 on pages 7 and 8. Furthermore, the surfactants customarily employed in formulation technology, which are described, inter alia, in “Mc Cutcheon's Detergents and Emulsifiers Annual” MC Publishing Corp., Ridgewood N.J., 1981, Stache, H., “Tensid-Taschenbuch”, Carl Hanser Verlag, Munich/Vienna, 1981, and M. and J. Ash; “Encyclopedia of Surfactants”, Vol I-III, Chemical Publishing Co., New York, 1980-81, are also suitable for preparation of the herbicidal compositions according to the invention.

The herbicidal formulations generally comprise from 0.1 to 99% by weight, especially from 0.1 to 95% by weight, of active ingredient mixture comprising the compound of formula I, the second synergistically effective herbicide and, optionally, the safeners used in accordance with the invention, from 0 to 2% by weight of the oil additive used in accordance with the invention, from 1 to 99.9% by weight of a solid or liquid formulation adjuvant and from 0 to 25% by weight, especially from 0.1 to 25% by weight, of a surfactant. Whereas commercial products will preferably be formulated as concentrates, the end user will normally employ dilute formulations.

The compositions may also comprise further additives such as stabilisers, for example vegetable oils or epoxidised vegetable oils (epoxidised coconut oil, rapeseed oil or soybean oil), antifoams, for example silicone oil, preservatives, viscosity regulators, binders, tackifiers, and also fertilisers or other active ingredients. There are various suitable methods and techniques for using the safeners or compositions comprising them for protecting cultivated plants against harmful effects of the herbicides; the following are examples:

i) Seed Dressing

a) Dressing the seeds with a wettable powder formulation of safener active ingredient by shaking in a vessel until the formulation is uniformly distributed over the seed surface (dry dressing). Approximately from 1 to 500 g of safener active ingredient according to the invention (from 4 g to 2 kg of wettable powder) are used per 100 kg of seed.

b) Dressing the seeds with an emulsifiable concentrate of safener according to method a) (wet dressing).

c) Dressing by immersing the seed in a liquid formulation comprising from 100 to 1000 ppm of safener for from 1 to 72 hours and, if desired, subsequently drying the seeds (immersion dressing).

Dressing the seed or treating the germinated seedlings are naturally the preferred methods of application because the treatment with the active ingredient is directed wholly at the target crop. Generally from 1 to 1000 g of antidote, preferably from 5 to 250 g of antidote, are used per 100 kg of seed, although, depending on the method employed, which also allows the addition of other active ingredients or micronutrients, amounts that exceed or fall short of the specified concentration limits may be employed (repeat dressing).

ii) Application in the Form of a Tank Mixture

A liquid formulation of a mixture of antidote and herbicide (ratio of the one to the other from 20:1 to 1:100) is used, the rate of application of herbicide being from 0.005 to 5.0 kg per hectare. The oil additive can be added to the tank mixture in an amount of, preferably, from 0.01 to 2% by weight. Such tank mixtures are applied before or after sowing.

iii) Application to the Seed Furrow

The safener is introduced into the open, sown seed furrow in the form of an emulsifiable concentrate, a wettable powder or granules. After the seed furrow has been covered, the herbicide, optionally in combination with the oil additive, is applied pre-emergence in the normal manner.

iv) Controlled Release of the Active Ingredient

The safener is applied in solution to granulated mineral carriers or polymerised granules (urea-formaldehyde) and dried. If desired, a coating may be applied (coated granules) which enables the active ingredient to be released in metered amounts over a predetermined period of time.

Preferred formulations have especially the following compositions (%=percent by weight; ‘active ingredient mixture’ denotes the mixture of compound of formula I with the synergistically effective second herbicide and, optionally, with the safeners and/or oil additives according to the invention.

Emulsifiable Concentrates:

-   active ingredient mixture: from 1 to 90%, preferably from 5 to 20% -   surface-active agent: from 1 to 30%, preferably from 10 to 20% -   liquid carrier: from 5 to 94%, preferably from 70 to 85%     Dusts: -   active ingredient mixture: from 0.1 to 10%, preferably from 0.1 to     5% -   solid carrier: from 99.9 to 90%, preferably from 99.9 to 99%     Suspension Concentrates: -   active ingredient mixture: from 5 to 75%, preferably from 10 to 50% -   water: from 94 to 24%, preferably from 88 to 30% -   surface-active agent: from 1 to 40%, preferably from 2 to 30%     Wettable Powders: -   active ingredient mixture: from 0.5 to 90%, preferably from 1 to 80% -   surface-active agent: from 0.5 to 20%, preferably from 1 to 15% -   solid carrier: from 5 to 95%, preferably from 15 to 90%     Granules: -   active ingredient mixture: from 0.1 to 30%, preferably from 0.1 to     15% -   solid carrier: from 99.5 to 70%, preferably from 97 to 85%

The Examples that follow illustrate the invention further. They do not limit the invention.

Formulation Examples for Mixtures of Herbicides and, Optionally, Safener and Oil Additive (%=Percent by Weight)

F1. Emulsifiable concentrates a) b) c) d) active ingredient mixture 5% 10% 25% 50% calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate 6%  8%  6%  8% castor oil polyglycol ether 4% —  4%  4% (36 mol of ethylene oxide) octylphenol polyglycol ether —  4% —  2% (7–8 mol of ethylene oxide) cyclohexanone — — 10% 20% aromatic C₉–C₁₂ hydrocarbon mixture 85%  78% 55% 16%

Emulsions of any desired concentration can be prepared from such concentrates by dilution with water.

F2. Solutions a) b) c) d) active ingredient mixture  5% 10% 50% 90% 1-methoxy-3-(3-methoxy- — 20% 20% — propoxy)-propane polyethylene glycol (mol. wt. 400) 20% 10% — — N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone — — 30% 10% aromatic C₉–C₁₂ hydrocarbon mixture 75% 60% — —

The solutions are suitable for application in the form of micro-drops.

F3. Wettable powders a) b) c) d) active ingredient mixture 5% 25% 50% 80% sodium lignosulfonate 4% —  3% — sodium lauryl sulfate 2%  3% —  4% sodium diisobutylnaphthalenesulfonate —  6%  5%  6% octylphenol polyglycol ether —  1%  2% — (7–8 mol of ethylene oxide) highly dispersed silicic acid 1%  3%  5% 10% kaolin 88%  62% 35% —

The active ingredient is mixed thoroughly with the adjuvants and the mixture is thoroughly ground in a suitable mill, affording wettable powders which can be diluted with water to give suspensions of any desired concentration.

F4. Coated granules a) b) c) active ingredient mixture 0.1% 5% 15% highly dispersed silicic acid 0.9% 2%  2% inorganic carrier material 99.0% 93%  83% (diameter 0.1–1 mm) for example CaCO₃ or SiO₂

The active ingredient is dissolved in methylene chloride, the solution is applied to the carrier by spraying, and the solvent is subsequently evaporated off in vacuo.

F5. Coated granules a) b) c) active ingredient mixture 0.1% 5% 15% polyethylene glycol (mol. wt. 200) 1.0% 2%  3% highly dispersed silicic acid 0.9% 1%  2% inorganic carrier material 98.0% 92%  80% (diameter 0.1–1 mm) for example CaCO₃ or SiO₂

The finely ground active ingredient is uniformly applied, in a mixer, to the carrier material moistened with polyethylene glycol, yielding non-dusty coated granules.

F6. Extruder granules a) b) c) d) active ingredient mixture 0.1% 3% 5% 15% sodium lignosulfonate 1.5% 2% 3%  4% carboxymethylcellulose 1.4% 2% 2%  2% kaolin 97.0% 93%  90%  79%

The active ingredient is mixed with the adjuvants, and the mixture is ground, moistened with water, extruded and then dried in a stream of air.

F7. Dusts a) b) c) active ingredient mixture  0.1%  1%  5% talcum 39.9% 49% 35% kaolin 60.0% 50% 60%

Ready-to-use dusts are obtained by mixing the active ingredient with the carriers and grinding the mixture in a suitable mill.

F8. Suspension concentrates a) b) c) d) active ingredient mixture   3%  10%  25%  50% ethylene glycol   5%   5%   5%   5% nonylphenol polyglycol ether —   1%   2% — (15 mol of ethylene oxide) sodium lignosulfonate   3%   3%   4%   5% carboxymethylcellulose   1%   1%   1%   1% 37% aqueous formaldehyde solution 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% silicone oil emulsion 0.8% 0.8% 0.8% 0.8% water  87%  79%  62%  38%

The finely ground active ingredient is intimately mixed with the adjuvants, giving a suspension concentrate from which suspensions of any desired concentration can be obtained by dilution with water.

It is often more practical to formulate the herbicides (optionally in combination with the oil additive) and the safener separately and then, shortly before application, to bring them together in the applicator in the desired mixing ratio in the form of a “tank mixture” in water. The herbicides and the safener can also be formulated separately and, shortly before application, brought together in the applicator in the desired mixing ratio in the form of a “tank mixture” in water, with the oil additive being added thereafter.

The herbicidally selective action of the compositions according to the invention is illustrated in the following Examples.

BIOLOGICAL EXAMPLES Example B1 Post-emergence Test

The test plants are grown in pots under greenhouse conditions until a post-application stage. A standard soil is used as cultivation substrate. At a post-emergence stage, the herbicides, both on their own and in admixture with safeners and/or oil additives, are applied to the test plants or to cultivated plants seed-dressed with safeners. The application is carried out using an emulsion (prepared from an emulsifiable concentrate (Example F1, c)) of the test substances. The rates of application depend on the optimum concentrations ascertained under field conditions or greenhouse conditions. The tests are evaluated after from 2 to 4 weeks (100% action=complete destruction, 0% action=no phytotoxic action). 

1. A herbicidal composition that, in addition to comprising customary inert formulation adjuvants, comprises as active ingredient a mixture of a) a herbicidally effective amount of pinoxaden; and b) an amount, effective for herbicide synergy, of at least one herbicide selected from mesosulfuron, and flufenacet.
 2. A composition according to claim 1, which further comprises c) an amount, effective for herbicide antagonism, of a safener selected from cloquintocet-mexyl and mefenpyr-diethyl.
 3. A composition according to claim 1, which further comprises d) an additive comprising an oil of vegetable or animal origin, a mineral oil, alkyl esters of said oils or mixtures of said oils and alkyl esters of said oils.
 4. A method for the selective control of weeds and grasses in crops of useful plants, which comprises treating the useful plants, seeds or cuttings thereof, or the area of cultivation thereof, with a composition according to claim
 1. 5. A method according to claim 4, wherein the crops of useful plants are cereals. 